7 Common Myths & Misconceptions About OCD

What Is OCD?

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition that is characterized by patterns of obsessive thoughts and compulsions. It can significantly impact a person’s day to day life and overall quality of life. It is believed that about 1 in 40 adults will experience OCD in their lifetime and those with an anxiety disorder are more prone to developing OCD symptoms.

OCD is characterized by:

• Obsessions: Obsessions include intrusive thoughts or desires that someone with OCD attempts to ignore or fight.
• Compulsions: Compulsions are actions or behaviors that someone with OCD acts on in a repetitive fashion.¹

7 Common Myths & Misconceptions About OCD

OCD is much more than a quirk or being “type A.” OCD and general anxiety do have a lot of overlapping characteristics. Understanding what is truly a myth is important to ensure nothing is overlooked or missed. Here are 7 common myths & misconceptions about OCD:

1. Everyone’s a Little Bit OCD

This misconception is everywhere in society. Those who are punctual, organized, and prepared can easily be labeled as having OCD. However, these are personality traits, not a set of symptoms. When we look at these common behaviors as only symptoms, we start to overgeneralize that everyone must have OCD.

2. They’re just overly worried

OCD is more than general worry or anxiety. OCD is characterized by intrusive thoughts and urges, which can be very difficult to fight. People often become worried about acting on these urges (compulsions) versus having to worry about the urges themselves.

3. OCD is just about being very clean

While many people with OCD do have urges around cleaning rituals such as hand-washing, OCD is much bigger than just that. The urges and intrusive thoughts can be about anything, including things that are dangerous.

4. OCD isn’t treatable

OCD is very treatable. With the right combination of medications and therapy, it is possible to manage OCD and live a full life. OCD can pose challenges, but with the right approach, people with OCD can learn how to manage it.

5. People with OCD are just weird

OCD has a lot of stigma associated with it, but it doesn’t mean that anyone is weird, crazy, or any other judgment. OCD can be a debilitating chronic mental health condition that can make life very difficult.

6. People with OCD are just stubborn

OCD behaviors are not conscious choices people are making.While people are acting on the urges, the choice to act out the urges isn’t as black and white as it may seem. There are often underlying chemical imbalances and other psychosocial histories that make OCD manifest.

7. You can tell if someone has OCD

You may make quick assumptions based on what you see, but it isn’t possible to simply reduce OCD down to a passing observation. OCD is complex and sometimes our own perceptions of others’ behaviors can bias us.²

Impact of OCD Myths & Misconceptions

These misconceptions can affect the perception, treatment, and support for individuals with OCD. All of these myths and misconceptions create a great stigma that makes getting treatment and support difficult. When this happens, people with OCD may make excuses for their symptoms or avoid treatment because of the association. OCD, left untreated, can make relationships of any kind challenging and make it difficult to regulate all your emotions.³

How to Educate Yourself About OCD

Take time to learn about OCD. It’s important that we don’t continue to perpetuate any misbeliefs about what OCD is.

Here are some ways to educate yourself about OCD:

• Read books on OCD
• Speak with a professional
• Attend OCD related events to learn about the impact
• Talk with friends/family who may have OCD
• Talk to your doctor about OCD
• Listen to podcasts about OCD

When to Seek Professional Support

If you find yourself struggling with intrusive thoughts or repetitive behaviors, it may be time to talk to a professional. Checking out an online therapist directory or an online therapy platform can be a good start. You can also search directories to find in-person therapy and support groups. If you are concerned about other ways to manage OCD, if therapy doesn’t feel like it is enough, it may be time to talk to a psychiatrist. You can check out online psychiatrist options for quick and accessible treatment and medication management.

Effective treatment options for OCD include:

• Exposure response prevention (ERP): Exposure response prevention is a therapy approach that works by slowly exposing one to their OCD triggers to desensitize them.⁴
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT for OCD works by helping people with OCD challenge their urges and intrusive thoughts by reframing the thought before it becomes a behavior.
• Medication for OCD: Medication for OCD can help to manage the emotional regulation issues which may be an underlying factor for some of the thoughts.